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Vancouver Area Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous 2203 Fairmount Avenue, Ste. A Vancouver, WA 98661 Vancouveraa.org [email protected] (360) 694-3870
Inside this issue
The Story behind the Jack Alexander article on A.A.……………………….….1-3
Congrats! & Bookstore News…………………………….....…….……..4
Gratitude Dinner Flyer……………...…..5
AA Grapevine Article: We Meet Old friends in AA………………………...…..6,11
Financial Reports…………..…..…..….…..7
Steering Committee Mtg. Minutes……...……………...………….…..…8
I.G. Rep Mtg. Minutes………….…9, 10
Upcoming Events………………….……...12
AA Grapevine Article: New A.A. Book-let Mailed…. …………..….……………….13
Monthly Business Mtgs.
Steering Comm. Mtg. –
10/14@6:00 PM
Intergroup Rep Mtg. –
10/21@6:30 PM
District 37 GSR Mtg. –10/22
@7:00 PM
District 7 GSR Mtg. - 10/24
@7:00 PM
(All monthly business mtgs. are held at the Intergroup Office).
September/October 2019 Volume 21
The story behind the Jack Alexander article on A.A.
Vancouver AREA
Intergroup
This article was found at https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/jack-alexander-article
Keep reading this article...turn the page!
Undated picture of Jack Alexander
On March 1, 1941, The Saturday Evening
Post published an article titled “Alcoholics
Anonymous: Freed Slaves of Drink, Now
They Free Others” written by Jack Alexan-
der. The article became a major turning
point in Alcoholics Anonymous’ history.
The story behind the article begins when the
owner of The Saturday Evening Post, Judge
Curtis Bok, learned of A.A. from two
friends. He was interested in having the
Post tell the story of the organization and
called upon well-known journalist of The Sat-
urday Evening Post, Jack Alexander, to do so.
2
Bill W., co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, eager to publicize the A.A. message, met with Alexander. He
gave Alexander access to records, a tour of significant A.A. sights, and set up interviews with both nonalco-
holic trustees of the General Service Board and A.A.s.
Correspondence between Jack Alexander and Bill W. from early 1941 shows the excitement felt in anticipa-
tion of the article’s release. On January 4, 1941, Alexander wrote to Bill W. and enclosed a manuscript of
the article for Bill to read. On January 6 Bill replied and from his response the eagerness for the article’s
release is apparent. Bill wrote:
I wish I could adequately convey to you the sense of gratitude that one of us feels towards you and the Saturday Post
for what is about to take place. You can not possibly conceive the direct alleviation of so much misery as will be
brought to an end through your pen and your good publishers.
For many a day you will be the toast of A.A.- in coca cola, of course!
Following the March 1, 1941 release of the article, inquiries began to flood in, leaving the small staff of the
“A.A. Headquarters,” the precursor to the General Service Office, busy. On March 12, 1941 Ruth Hock, first
non-alcoholic secretary of A.A., wrote to Dr. Bob, A.A. co-founder, to update him on what was going on in
New York. She said that the office had become swamped, 918 inquiries in 12
days as a direct response to the article.
The offices of The Saturday Evening Post also received a large number of inquir-
ies. A March 26, 1941, bulletin by the Post relays the power behind the article.
Following the publication of “Alcoholics Anonymous” by Jack Alexander, the Post floor
received an unusually large mail from readers, much of it asking how contact could be
established with groups who are doing this work in various cities. There were several in-
stances of calls on our branch offices for information on local organizations of this unusu-
al group.
Eight years after the release of the wildly successful 1941 Saturday Evening Post
article Bill W. wrote to Jack Alexander with a request. Bill W. was interested in a follow-up article and was
hoping Alexander would write one, and on June 8, 1949, Bill W. wrote the following:
If you can spare me a little time, I’d like to come down to Philadelphia and see you. Eight years ago the Saturday
Evening Post took AA out of the pioneering stage and made it a movement. Uncounted thousands owe their great
good fortune, yes their very lives, to what the Post did then. We still ship reprints of your article by the carload.
Nowadays AA rarely asks for publicity. I suppose we still get it in enormous quantities partly for that reason. Yet the
time is here when an exception should be made.
The point of this letter is what I would definitely like to ask you folks a favor. Will you print another piece about us.
The general public has only the vaguest idea what our society really looks like. I think they would be interested in an
inside view.
The story behind the Jack Alexander article on A.A. Continued...
Cover of The Saturday Evening Post, March 1, 1941
3
From our standpoint, a vital job has to be done. Now that the recovery formula is above ground and working at a prodi-
gious rate, our main problem is that of maintaining our unity as a movement until every drunk in the world has had a
good look at the idea.
So then, if John Q. Public could get an inside view of what our fellowship is really like, and it could become quite clear to
him what good AA’s do and what they don’t do in their relationships with each other and with the outside world, the Sat-
urday Evening Post would have written an insurance policy on our future, the value of which no men could ever reckon.
On June 9, Jack Alexander replied that he had always thought about writing a follow-up but had never gotten
around to it. He also writes that there is trouble with the idea and says:
There is basic trouble about it, though; I don’t see, offhand, where there is enough new material to justify a second
look. True, the number of AA’s has ballooned enormously, but that in itself is merely statistical. The basic story—the psy-
chology of drinkers, how the AA’s work on them, the steps towards arresting the habit—remains unchanged; or so it
seems to me.
On December 13, 1949 Bill W. wrote to Jack Alexander outlining the major turning points in the AA movement
which included the decision to leave the Oxford Group, about Rockefeller insisting they did not need money,
the formation of the Alcoholic Foundation, and the first two chapters of the Big Book.
For the next few months Bill W. and Jack Alexander corresponded regarding corrections
that either of them thought needed to be made to the article. Finally, eight months after
Bill W. initially presented Jack Alexander with the proposed idea for a follow-up, the arti-
cle was released. “The Drunkard’s Best Friend” was published in the April 1, 1950 is-
sue of The Saturday Evening Post.
“The Drunkard’s Best Friend” was a success, just as its predecessor was. On April 22,
1950, Bill W. wrote to Ben Bibbs, editor of The Saturday Evening Post, in praise of Jack Al-
exander and the two articles. Bill wrote as follows:
Jack Alexander, in his recent Saturday Evening Post story “The Drunkard’s Friend,” has done it
again.
We of Alcoholics Anonymous wish to tell how immensely grateful every man-jack of us is for
this happy circumstance. It is not the least exaggeration to say that Jack’s “Alcoholics Anonymous” article of nine years
ago brought recovery within the reach of 10000 alcoholics and great happiness to as many homes. Since the public im-
pression of this last piece of Jack’s is tops, we make no doubt that it will accomplish a fine result.
We know that the whole world will one day agree that these two articles of Jack’s about A.A. are to be regarded the
greatest public service the Saturday Evening Post has ever done. And that’s saying a great deal, indeed.
When Jack Alexander passed away in 1975 he was credited in his West Texas Register obituary as the newspa-
perman who made “Alcoholics Anonymous a major organization by the articles he wrote about its work.” To-
day, the General Service Office Archives still receives inquiries requesting both articles.
Note: [A.A. World Services publishes the 1941 article in pamphlet format and sells approximately 22,000 a
year.]
The story behind the Jack Alexander article on A.A. Continued...
Cover of The Saturday
Evening Post, April 1, 1950
4 4
On your continuous length of sobriety...
You did it one day at a time!
Phil B. .. — 27 yrs.
Debby B. — 33 yrs.
Evelyn m. — 31 yrs.
If you would like to acknowledge someone celebrating a monthly or
annual birthday, please call, email, or let us know when you come in
to purchase their coin so we can add them to the next newsletter!
Bookstore News
Coming soon to your Intergroup...“Take me to
your Sponsor”!
Sobriety can be tough sometimes, which is why recovering
alcoholics can always use a good laugh. In AA, members
learn to not take themselves too seriously, to be happy, joy-
ous and free. Luckily, sobriety can be pretty darn amusing.
Two of the most beloved departments of Grapevine are the
“At Wit’s End” jokes and the cartoons, all contributed and
drawn by AA members. This book contains some of the best
laughs of the last few years, dealing with meetings, sponsorship, dating and marriage, friends and cowork-
ers, character defects and more. We hope this book brightens your day and gives you some hearty, well-
earned laughs.
5 5
5
6
This article is continued on page 11
7
Group Contributions and Financial Statements
Contributions
for August Group Name
Contributions
Year to Date
146.00 12X12 146.00
159th Street Women’s Group 250.00
AA Rainbow Miracles 2.00
377.56 A New Morning 2,467.24
Amboy Renegades 35.00
As Bill Sees It 640.25
As We Recovered 50.00
Birds of a Feather 100.00
B & P 75.00
Cascade Group 100.00
Cascade Locks Spiritual Brkfst. 75.00
50.12 Chapter Nine 238.12
34.43 Camas Group 146.33
25.00 Cornerstone Group 45.00
District 7 10.00
Doing Right on Thursday Night 25.00
Early Birds 292.20
Early Light 52.00
East County Women’s Group 50.00
Eastside Brown Baggers 600.00
Easier Softer Way 55.00
Fireside 605.00
52.25 First Shot 440.94
100.46 Fresh Start 577.91
From the Book 146.75
Gorge Gals-North Bonneville 50.00
Hokinson 192.01
16.50 La Center Group 31.58
Lewis River AA 125.96
50.00 Lighthouse 380.00
McGuilivray Study Group 866.72
300.00 Men’s Eastside 300.00
100.00 Men's Fireside 300.00
Minnihaha 250.00
340.10 Miracles at Noon 2,709.70
Ready and Willing 42.72
Reconciled 281.71
Renegades 35.00
118.98 Ridgefield AA 148.98
Rock Bottom Recovery 115.00
Round Table Group 334.40
Saturday Night Big Book Study 494.00
She Who Remembers 180.00
Sober Uppers 25.00
Step Sisters 293.31
Stevenson AA 400.00
Sunday Night Alternative 40.00
460.00 Sunday Solutions 1,636.35
There is a Solution 173.15
18.43 Wayfarer's 88.70
71.97 Wednesday Night Recovery 446.68
Welcome Home 98.17
West Vancouver Group 62.36
Wine to Water 40.60
Women’s Fireside 200.00
Women in Sobriety 155.00
2,261.80 SUBTOTAL 17,721.84
188.60 Miscellaneous/Individual 2,078.25
2,450.40 TOTAL 19,800.09
Financial Statements
August ($) YTD ($)
Revenue
Sales 3,296 34,031
Group Contributions 2,262 17,721
Fundraising/Picnic 0 0
Misc. Income 89 977
Individual Contributions 189 2,078
Total Revenue 5,835 54,808
Expenses
Cost of goods sold 1,869 19,170
Fundraising Expenses 0 0
Merchant Services 81 670
Office supplies 11 1,140
Equipment rent 188 1,629
Building rent 724 7,724
Utilities 171 2,965
Net Wages 2,545 16,722
Payroll taxes 0 4,124
Insurance 107 343
Licenses 75 85
Travel and Meetings 0 79
Remodel Project 0 1,781
Total Expenses 5,770 56,431
Net Income /(Loss) 65 (1,623)
August Bottom Line
- Total Revenue – Total Expenses = ($190)
- For the month of August, we did $255 better than forecasted
-Year-to-date doing $1,541 better than forecast
- Moved $5,000 to main account from Prudent Reserve to beef up
inventory before open-house
8
Steering Committee Meeting Minutes
Vancouver Area Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous
Steering Committee meeting of August 12, 2019
Attendance: Kasmir, Laurie, Chris, Marc (by phone), Cassia, Phil and visitors Shari and Patrick
Opening: The meeting was opened at 6:05 pm with the Serenity Prayer. Minutes from the July Steering Com-
mittee meeting were accepted. Minutes from the July Intergroup meeting were reviewed.
Hotline: We were introduced to Patrick who is making himself available to chair the committee. Patrick has re-
viewed the duties and responsibilities and meets the requirements. Patrick will attend the Intergroup meeting to
introduce himself.
Treasury: See attached report.
Events: We were introduced to Shari who is making herself available to chair the committee. Shari has reviewed
the duties and responsibilities but does not meet the “suggested” requirements. Shari will attend the Intergroup
meeting to introduce herself.
Open House: The office open house is scheduled for September 21, 2019, 10:00am-2:00pm, which will include a
BBQ. A tentative food budget of $200 was approved. Flyers will be made.
Gratitude Dinner: The First Presbyterian Church (usual location) has been reserved for November 23, 2019 and a
speaker has been booked. Save the date flyers will be made.
Closing: The meeting closed at 6:35 pm with the Lord’s Prayer.
Yours in Service
Phil B.
9
9
VANCOUVER AREA INTERGROUP OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
INTERGROUP REPRESENTATIVE MEETING FOR AUGUST 19, 2019
Attendance:
Marc T ~ Miracles Mark O ~ Reconciled
Shari W* ~ Ladies by the Lavender Chris H ~ MSG
Cassia N* ~ Women’s Fireside/Office Manager Mike T ~ B & P
Wvelyn M* ~ East Side Brown Baggers Lauri H ~ Sober Uppers
Ronnie C ~ Camas Group David R ~ Welcome Home
Kevin P ~ Hockinson Group Phil B ~ Central Group
Michelle ~ Dry Tribe Dusty G ~ Cornerstone
Warren R ~ A New Morning Patrick* ~ MSG
Shaun C ~ BGAA Tom S ~ Men’s Fireside
Robin M ~Fireside Richard ~ Lighthouse
Julie E ~Sunday Solutions Kasmir ~ East Side Brown Baggers
* Indicates non-voting member
Opening:
The meeting was opened at 6:30pm with the Serenity Prayer. Laurie did a presentation of the 8th Tradition. Minutes from the
8/12/19 Steering Committee meeting were reviewed. Minutes from the 7/15/19 Intergroup meeting were accepted with a cor-
rection. Please note in group news that “Fireside” should be “Men’s Fireside”.
Hotline:
The IG Reps were introduced to Patrick who made himself available to chair the committee. Patrick is aware of the duties and
responsibilities. The IG Reps voted in Patrick to chair the committee.
Treasurer’s Report:
Please see attached financial report. Laurie reported the IG is financially stable.
Office Report:
Cassia reported there is nothing new to report.
Old Business/Activities:
The IG Reps were introduced to Shari who made herself available to chair the committee. Shari is aware of the duties and re-
sponsibilities and the IG Reps were made aware she does fall short of the suggested guidelines. The IG Reps voted in Shari to
chair the committee.
Old Business/Open House:
The office open house is scheduled for 9/21/19, 10:00am-2:00pm, which will include BBQ.
Old Business/Saturday Office:
Opening the office on Saturdays, staffed with trained volunteers, is still a project in the works.
Old Business/Gratitude Dinner:
The dinner is scheduled for 11/23/19 at the First Presbyterian Church (usual location). Kendra D from Los Angeles will be the
speaker.
Intergroup Rep Meeting Minutes
10
Intergroup Rep Meeting Minutes Continued...
New Business/Outreach:
Dusty reported that the committee is active and has reached out to seven groups/meetings.
Group News/Lost Member:
Laurie reported that Virginia passed away. Passed away sober. Virginia was a friend of AA and the inter-
group.
Group News/Reconciled:
Mark reported that Reconciled is asking for support for their Friday big book study meeting.
Closing:
The meeting was closed at 7:04pm with the Serenity Prayer.
Yours in Service,
Phil B.
11
11
This article is continued from page 6
Upcoming Events
October 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4
Friday Night
Happy Hour Speak-
er Mtg.: 7:30 pm
5
OB’s Speaker Mtg.:
7:30 PM
6 7
8 9 10 11 12
Wayfarer’s
Speaker Mtg.: 7:00
pm
13 14
Steering Committee
Mtg.: 6:00 pm
15 16 17 18 19
Rule 62 Speaker
Mtg.: 7 :00 pm
20 21
Intergroup Rep.
Mtg.:6:30 pm
22
District 37
Mtg.: 7:00 pm
23 24 District 7 GSR
Mtg.: 7 pm
25
Central Group’s
Birthday Meeting:
8:00 pm
26
27
Sideways Sunday
Potluck: 7:30am
Carson Potluck:
6:30 pm.
Speaker: 7:00 pm
Hokinson Potluck:
6:00 pm
Sober Sickos:7:30
pm
28 29
30 31
For a full description of each of these upcoming
events including locations, visit the events page on
our website at:
www.vancouveraa.org
12
13
The Vancouver Area Inter-
group of Alcoholics Anony-
mous exists to serve local
groups of Alcoholics Anony-
mous within the vicinity of
Vancouver, Washington.
The Organization serves as
a clearing house to distrib-
ute literature to local Alco-
holics Anonymous groups,
to provide contact among
these groups, and to main-
tain an answering service.
The Vancouver Area Intergroup
2203 Fairmount Ave,
Ste. A
Vancouver, WA
98661
Phone: 360-694-3870
Fax: 360-694-1032
E-mail:
*This comic was taken from https://annkroger.com/drawings-and-cartooons/
